It happened on the final night of my stay in Kormi Village.
"Ryoma! School! There were so many people!"
"School? There certainly were quite a few people there."
"Must be nice... I want to become a school."
"That’s a first... though if people start gathering here in the future, it might be alright to set up something like a school."
"Really!?"
"Well, there’s a lot of preparation needed to make that a reality. But Kormi, I think your abilities would be useful for teaching. It’s not a bad idea. Once the living environment is somewhat settled, you should try it out with the help of the Goblins."
"Yeah!"
For a while after that, Kormi continued to peer into the memories of my student days. Gradually, however, the atmosphere grew somber, and he spoke up with a question.
"Ryoma..."
"What’s wrong?"
"Why does bullying happen?"
"Ah... I don't really know for sure myself. It’s caused by a complex tangle of factors—environment, specific situations, the motivations of the bullies. I can't give you one clear, definitive cause. What you saw was likely my own time as a student, but honestly, bullying isn't just a problem for children. It’s not uncommon among adults in companies, and it even happens in animal herds. So, unfortunately, I think you have to either act on the assumption that bullying is something that just happens, or stay away from people if it’s too much trouble. I mean, I used my reincarnation as an opportunity to cut off contact with people for a long time myself."
"Then, how do you solve bullying once it starts?"
"That’s another difficult problem. You just have to respond appropriately on a case-by-case basis."
"The internet? It seems like people there are saying we need stricter punishment. Is that not right?"
"I think it depends on what the phrase 'stricter punishment' refers to. Ah, I won't tell you not to read my memories of the internet, but don't take the information at face value. That part is important."
Still, how should I answer? How do parents in the world answer when they are asked things like this? I seriously didn't know.
I’d had my share of experience with harassment, and I had no intention of defending bullies. If stricter punishment meant creating a system for the early detection and handling of bullying, as well as ensuring perpetrators faced consequences, I was all for it. But if it was just making the penalties heavier without changing anything else, would that really accomplish much? I had my doubts.
Speaking from my personal experience, the people who committed bullying basically didn't recognize that what they were doing was wrong. Many of them thought that if they did it in secret, they wouldn't get caught, or they simply didn't think they would be punished. I hadn't seen many people who bullied while being capable of making sound judgments regarding right and wrong or performing a risk calculation.
I wouldn't say they didn't exist at all; I’d seen the addictive types who couldn't stop even though they knew it was wrong, and the victims who participated in bullying others to avoid being targeted themselves. But I didn't think simply making the punishment heavier would solve the problem.
If we were thinking about deterrents, wouldn't ensuring that punishment was actually administered be more effective at making a wider range of people realize the risks than simply increasing the severity of the sentence?
"Children aren't stupid. If teachers or parents don't notice the bullying, look the other way, or let it slide with a light warning, the kids sense that. They start to think, 'If this is all that happens, it's not a big deal. It's fine.' At least, the people I saw were all like that. If they keep learning the wrong lessons, it becomes harder to stop. Especially for children who haven't even finished their Compulsory Education, those early lessons are going to stick with them."
Of course, I assumed school teachers were keeping an eye out, but I often heard that the teaching profession was grueling. There were also stories about parents leaving education entirely to the schools and teachers, so it wasn't right to blame only the faculty. More than that, blaming people didn't feel productive.
If they were shorthanded, wouldn't it be more constructive to take measures under the premise that faculty alone couldn't handle everything?
Even as a layman, I could immediately think of several measures, like hiring specialized staff. For example, employing a School Security Guard to patrol the campus and monitor the students, or installing security cameras in places out of sight, like hallways or behind buildings.
I had heard that the former, the School Security Guard, had already been introduced in America, and apparently, some places even had a School-assigned Police Officer. As for the latter, as long as it wasn't a toilet or a Changing Room, I didn't think a school was a private space, but even so, things like image rights and privacy management would likely become issues.
"Also, aside from violence or threats, what someone considers bullying is partially subjective. In my company, there was a guy who made a fuss about bullying just because someone warned him about being late. He was an extreme example, but I think it’s necessary to distinguish between actual bullying and legitimate discipline."
If people felt they were risking heavy punishment just for saying something for the other person’s sake, they might decide not to bother giving warnings at all, or even give up on making friends. There was also the common occurrence of a group of bullies coordinating their stories to frame the victim. Fact-checking and discernment were vital.
"Another thing is that following up with the victim is just as important as punishing the perpetrator. Finding the problem within the school is one thing, but once someone enters a state of School Refusal..."
In foreign countries... I felt like I was sounding like one of those 'socially conscious' types who constantly said 'The West,' which I disliked, but it was a fact that there were differences in educational systems between Japan and overseas.
Taking America as an example again, they had Homeschooling as a valid option—a learning style where a guardian provided education instead of a teacher.
"Does that mean they can't make friends? Is the studying worse than at school?"
"I think there are certainly disadvantages and risks like that, but personally, I think it’s okay for that to be an option. I often hear negative opinions like 'School is not just for studying, it’s a place to learn about human relationships,' but I think human relationships have already collapsed once bullying starts. As for studying, it’s hard to concentrate in an environment where you constantly feel physical danger or anxiety."
Once the relationship between a bully and a victim was established, it was difficult even for adults to overturn. Even if you forced yourself to endure it, you could almost never expect the situation to improve. It would only get worse, and feelings of inferiority would take root. That much I knew from experience.
Above all, if your mind breaks, it takes far longer to recover than a physical injury. It could drag on for a lifetime. Since the worst possibility of suicide exists, there's no need to be obsessed with school. In fact, being too obsessed with it makes the risks for the victim far outweigh the returns.
Of course, the effort to improve the situation and the will to try were wonderful, but I didn't want people to push themselves too hard. Your heart and body can only take so much.
"The important thing isn't whether you attended school or not, but whether you obtained 'academic ability,' 'interpersonal experience,' and 'communication skills' equivalent to what you would get by attending. After that, it’s about whether you can sufficiently cultivate 'confidence' in those things, and whether you and your parents can arrange the right environment. Before I died, the internet had developed so much that it seemed like there would be plenty of ways to do it. You’d need to be careful not to fall into bad communities, but even interacting only online is better than having no contact with others at all. I personally view Compulsory Education not as the child’s duty to attend school, but the parents' duty to provide education. School is just one of the facilities meant to reduce the burden on the parents who bear that duty."
Come to think of it, I also recalled hearing that even with Homeschooling in America, parents had a duty to report learning progress to the authorities to prevent neglect, and if they failed to do so, they could be arrested. Also, while it seemed common for people to avoid officer roles in the Japanese PTA, parents in America apparently tended to proactively take on roles and get involved in managing events and charities. It wasn't just about bullying or School Refusal; the very way they approached education was different.
"...I got a bit off track, but my conclusion is that if someone does something bad, punishment is necessary and should be administered solemnly. However, early detection, thorough handling, and follow-up for the victim are higher priorities. But if you ask other people, you'll get different opinions. Even with a single phrase like 'stricter punishment,' so many different elements are intertwined. As someone who isn't an expert, I can't give you a definitive answer."
"I see..."
"Once you’re able to interact with people, let’s learn more and think about things together, okay?"
"And that was the gist of the conversation," I said.
"It certainly is a difficult question to answer, with no standardized solution," Reinhardt remarked.
"It's a question typical of an innocent child, but I can see why it would be troubling," Reinbach added.
"Perhaps because he can read the hearts of others, his own power of understanding is high. Since the intent of my words isn't misinterpreted, I think he's easier to deal with than an ordinary child, but I’ve never raised a child myself."
At this point, the three of them stirred for just a moment.
"I tend to forget, but Ryoma-kun, you aren't at that age yet, are you?" Elise said softly.
"It’s natural to be troubled. However, we should be able to help you. We have a fair amount of experience in child-rearing, after all."
"Once interaction becomes possible, please introduce Kormi-kun to us as well," Reinhardt said. "And you can feel free to consult us then. Regarding this matter, is it alright to leave it at this for now?"
"Thank you very much. For my part, since I don't know when or how this can be realized, just hearing you say that makes me feel relieved."
Come to think of it, these were the people who raised the straightforward Elia. If they were willing to cooperate, it couldn't be more reassuring. As I relaxed, I suddenly noticed my thirst. I had been talking non-stop for the explanation.
As I quenched my thirst with the tea Sebas had poured, Elise spoke up.
"Even so, Ryoma-kun, you really can handle difficult topics, can't you?"
"Eh? No, I spoke like that precisely because I can't."
"I didn't think so as I listened. In fact, it makes me want to hear more of your perspective as a Child of God with knowledge from a foreign land."
I wasn't good at debating, though. I had almost no experience with it in my previous life. It might also be because there were almost no people around me with whom I could have a proper debate. Honestly, since I never knew where the landmines were, I tended to be wary.
"Specifically, what kind of things would you like to hear about?"
"Let's see... how about the management of our territory, or politics?"
"Please, spare me. I’d die. I’d be flamed to a crisp."
"Die? Flamed?!"
"What do you mean? As far as I can see, there’s no sign of fire anywhere," Reinbach said, looking around.
"Does a Child of God burst into flames when talking about politics?" Reinhardt wondered.
"Could it be that some kind of restriction has been placed on you by the gods?" Sebas asked.
Oh no, the words that reflexively left my mouth had caused a misunderstanding. I felt like even my tone was getting slightly odd, but I had to explain and clear things up.
"...In other words, 'flamed' is a metaphorical expression from my world meaning that criticism gathers and you are attacked."
"I’m sorry for the confusing way I spoke."
"When interacting with a foreign culture, there are bound to be some misunderstandings," Elise said with a smile. "It is I who should apologize."
"No, no... By the way, in my country, it was often said not to bring up the topics of religion, politics, or a ball game called Baseball. Is it alright to discuss those here?"
"For a noble, it's one of the expected accomplishments," Reinhardt answered. "Especially for a house like ours that holds territory. If a Lord who governs a territory cannot speak of politics, it would be out of the question. In our house, we used to have various exchanges of opinions with Elia, including politics. I think other houses are mostly the same, though the degree may vary."
It was a simple, persuasive reason. I hadn't doubted her from the start, but Elise had simply brought up a familiar topic. It just hadn't quite clicked. Cross-cultural exchange—sometimes things like this happened.
As I drained the tea left in my cup, Sebas provided a new topic along with a fresh pour.
"Master, regarding that other matter."
"Ah, that’s right. Actually, there was something we wanted to ask of Ryoma-kun as a technician."
"I’m listening."
"It's about what we discussed briefly before you went to the Sea of Trees—we want to get the cooperation for the new village, the food production using the Slime Farming Method, and the mass production system for Retort Food ready as soon as possible."
"Of course, I’d like to help as much as I can. But, is there a reason for the hurry?"
"This is still just a progress report, but the crop yields aren't looking very good. You see, it’s been unseasonably hot lately. Reports have been coming in from villages across the duchy saying that temperatures are higher than usual, and it's affecting crop growth. It hasn't led to an immediate famine, but we need to take measures now."
Furthermore, Reinhardt explained several points: - Since it was caused by the climate, the problem wouldn't be limited to the Jamil Duchy. - Neighboring territories, and potentially the entire country, could face a food crisis. - If there was a disparity in food availability, looting and banditry would likely increase. - To prevent the people of the territory from becoming targets, they would provide support to neighboring territories when necessary.
"It sounds like it might turn into a major issue."
"There's nothing we can do about the weather. We're lucky just to have a card to play in case of emergency."
"I’m happy if I can be of use."
Oh, speaking of food, I remembered something.
"Glen said he wanted to buy Retort Food. He was quite a big eater and someone who spent money boldly, so the amount he wants to purchase will likely be substantial."
"Understood," Reinhardt said. "I was planning to build the production facilities in earnest anyway, so I’ll raise the priority on that. His name is known throughout the country. Being S-rank alone brings high social credibility, and if it becomes known as an item he favors, it will lead to great profits. I’ll hand the specific schedule for the construction and the village development to Lady Eleanora once it’s finalized. Please check it once she begins her post as your assistant."
"Even if we’re moving up the schedule, development isn't something that finishes in a week or two," Elise cautioned. "So please don't push yourself too hard."
"I understand."
Finally, she firmly cautioned me on that point.
"Well then," Reinhardt said, standing up. "I expect Hughes and the others want to talk to Ryoma-kun soon."
"That’s true. I’ve prepared 'souvenirs' gathered from the Sea of Trees, so let’s have them enjoy those."
Thus, the secret meeting concluded. From here on out, it was time for the return celebration banquet!